Ship traffic in Bab Al Mandeb strait halves as Houthis seize control of key island
Ship crossings in the Bab Al Mandeb strait fell to 15 on Friday from 30 a day earlier, according to Kpler data. The Houthis seized Perim Island, Mokha and Dhubab, giving them control over key areas overlooking the Red Sea and the strait.
Why it matters: This matters for the maritime chokepoints theme because Houthi control of Perim Island and the surrounding coast increases their ability to monitor and pressure vessels transiting Bab Al Mandeb, a critical route for global oil shipments.